(12 Jul 1996) English/Nat
The South African president was mobbed by adoring crowds when he went walkabout in south London on Friday - the last day of his state visit to Britain.
A similar crush greeted Mandela in central London's Trafalgar Square, the scene of anti-apartheid protests in years past.
Mandela addressed that crowd from the balcony of the South African High Commission, or embassy, that had been the target of protests.
Thousands packed into the hall in Brixton, south London, to catch a glimpse of their hero Nelson Mandela.
A huge cheer erupted when, accompanied by Prince Charles, he finally arrived.
The choir was virtually drowned out by the audience chanting and clapping for the South African president to speak.
At last, he took the microphone, obviously touched by the display of devotion.
SOUNDBITE:
I wish I had big pockets so that when I leave I could take all of you and put you in my pockets and go back to South Africa with you.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
On his way out of the hall, Mandela took a few minutes to dance and sing in what has become a typical display of his unorthodox, spontaneous style.
"I'm so happy, so happy" he said hugging the dancers.
In a city where the average state visitor barely earns a second glance, the 78-year-old South African leader has been greeted by cheers, tears and a crush of admirers.
About 40 percent of the people in Brixton are black, including immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean.
The area was torn by rioting in 1985, and Brixton has been a symbol of the problems of Britain's inner cities.
Mandela shook as many hands as possible.
At times, he almost disappeared from view -- engulfed in a tide of eager supporters.
A Bob Marley song echoed through the street as the president's car inched forward to collect him for his next official trip to Trafalgar Square.
A crowd many thousands strong had gathered to meet him there. Many had been waiting for several hours.
Once again, Mandela dived in to a sea of bodies as he struggled to make his way across the square to the building that once represented South Africa's apartheid regime.
On the balcony of South Africa House, Mandela's words were almost drowned out by the cheering crowd.
His address was warm and familiar.
SOUNDBITE:
Ladies and gentlemen, This young man, this young man loves each and every one of you.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
It ended with a heartfelt thank you.
SOUNDBITE:
As your servant I have come to thank you for all that you've done.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South Africa President
Many of those in the crowd had spent hours or even months outside the building during apartheid.
Campaigners had organised 'Free Nelson Mandela' vigils and kept a round-the-clock four year picket outside South Africa House.
At a press conference after the address -- Mandela's last engagement in the U-K -- he spoke of support he'd gained from the British people.
SOUNDBITE:
The response of the people of this country exceeded my wildest expectations.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President
Waiting outside was yet another huge crowd.
It was their chance to bid farewell to the man who had captivated Londoner's hearts for the last four days.
In that short time. He'd been toasted by the Queen, received the freedom of the city, addressed both Houses of Parliament and had been showered with honorary university degrees.
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20 июл 2015
